In Celebration of National Mushroom Day, Let's Talk Mushroom Matters

Most of the time, we don’t give a big warm welcome to mushrooms when they appear on our lawns and in our landscaping. Though we often think of mushrooms as being an eyesore, they are usually harmless and actually have very good intentions. In the warm, moist areas where they thrive, mushrooms kickstart helpful microbial activity, breaking down organic matter like leaves, wood, and grass clippings.

So if mushrooms have taken residence in your yard and it’s not the look you’re going for, here’s what you can do to get rid of them. The trick is to pick them (Put on gloves first!) or mow them as soon as you see them and before they release spores. This will help keep them from spreading.

What are the keys to mushroom prevention? First, maintain a healthy lawn, one that is free of standing water and organic debris. Be mindful of overwatering and provide proper drainage for areas that seem to stay wet. Always keep your yard clean. Clean up organic debris such as sticks, leaves, grass clippings, and decaying wood.

If you’ve experienced a mushroom invasion, or need help maintaining a healthy lawn, Schultz Lawnscapes has a variety of lawn treatment and maintenance programs that you may consider.

Do You Need to Worry About Aeration and Overseeding?

Every yard should have aeration and overseeding done regularly. However, there are a few ways to determine if your lawn needs this service soon. If your yard gets heavy use, such as from children and pets running around, it’s likely compacted and could benefit from aeration. If your home was recently built, construction traffic may have caused compaction. If your lawn was established by sod, the soil may be layered and could be fixed through aeration.

Even if none of these issues apply, your lawn may benefit from aeration and overseeding. Check to see if your lawn is compacted or if there is a thicker layer of thatch throughout your yard. A common sign of compacting is pooling when it rains, as the water cannot easily drain into the soil. To check the thatch, pull out a section of your lawn about 4 inches deep and measure the thatch. If it’s more than an inch thick, consider aeration for your lawn.

When should aeration and overseeding be done?

Aeration and overseeding can’t just be done whenever. It’s important to do it at the right time of year for the best results. For cool season grass, the fall is the best time to aerate. Aeration should also be done at least once every three years. However, many lawns do need to be done more frequently, especially if the lawn gets heavy use. If you notice any issues from compaction or excessive thatch, plan to have your lawn aerated more often. Most homeowners will have it done every year to prevent issues and ensure their grass continues to grow well.

Why should aeration and overseeding be done in the fall?

Basically, fall is when cool season grass grows, so aeration prepares the roots for more growth before winter and gives the grass the best chance of surviving the colder months. It helps to create greener, thicker grass in the spring months.

Aeration helps the roots get everything they need to grow, which helps create healthy grass before the weather gets cold. This helps ensure the grass will make it through the winter so the lawn looks fantastic in the spring. Overseeding allows you to fill in damaged or bare areas and help make the grass thicker before the weather gets cold and the grass stops growing. Fall provides the ideal growing conditions for the grass, so when seeds are added during the fall, they have the best chance of growing to create a healthy, green spring lawn. Combining aeration and overseeding with fertilizing the yard can help ensure your lawn looks amazing when spring arrives and the weather starts to get warm again.

How is aeration and overseeding done?

Aeration needs to be done when the soil is moist. Then an aeration machine is used to go over the entire yard, pulling small plugs from the lawn. The plugs are left on the lawn to break down so the nutrients go back into the grass. Once they are dry, they can be broken down faster by going over them with a lawnmower. After the aeration is complete, the overseeding can be done. This is done by spreading grass seeds uniformly over the entire yard. Extra grass seeds can be spread in areas that are thin or damaged. The grass should be watered regularly afterwards to ensure the seeds can grow.

Summer Irrigation Advice - Are You Watering Correctly?

Are you watering correctly? - When it comes to irrigating lawns during hot summer months, improper techniques can hurt your grass more than help it. Overwatering, irrigating at wrong times of the day, and watering too often can be ineffective and—at times—downright harmful. Our summer irrigation advice will help your lawn soak in the fun during the heat!

Best time to water grass in Summer - Watering on a hot summer afternoon is a horrible idea. The liquid will evaporate too quickly and may not reach your grass’s roots, so heat and irrigation shouldn’t go together. Instead, the best time to water grass during summer is in the morning. The ideal time for morning watering is before 9 AM. The weather should be cool enough for the nutrients to get to the soil, allowing your turf to stay refreshed. Additionally, your turf will have the whole day to dry, and the calmer winds will keep the water from blowing away. Even though nighttime may also have cooler conditions, evening irrigation could lead to lawn disease and attract pests. When it comes to showering your yard with the gift of nutrients, stick to the AM.

Watering Frequency - So, how often should you water your lawn in the summer? The answer may surprise you. Between irrigation and natural rainfall, your grass should receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week during the summer. Water deeply every other day for the best results. Your turf should receive about 1/3 an inch of water every two days in order to maintain deeper roots, thus helping protect against drought. You should not water your grass every single day for a few minutes, as this could leave it susceptible to drought over the long haul.

Sprinkler Check-Ups  - Having sprinklers that correspond to the size and shape of your yard is important for proper watering. Below is a list of various sprinklers:

Stationary sprinklers – used to water small patches or specific areas of grass

Rotary and impact sprinklers – used for medium to large lawns in a circular motion

Oscillating sprinklers – produces a fan of water for a rectangular area

Make sure your sprinklers apply water evenly throughout the yard. To do this, follow these steps. 

Take an empty tuna can and place it in the midst of one of your sprinkler’s patterns. Run the system for a set amount of time and take note of the can’s water level. Repeat this process with each sprinkler for the same amount of time.

If the tuna can collects about the same amount of water in each trial, you’re in good shape. If not, adjust your sprinkler system to establish more consistent water coverage.

7 Things You Should Do in the Garden in June - Part 2

Jay's back with his June tips, things you can easily do in your garden this month.

Plant Warm Season Crops - Fruits and vegetables that require warm soil are best planted in June, such as corn, pumpkins, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Deepen Mulch - Add additional mulch to gardens and flowerbeds to conserve water and minimize weed growth. Grass clippings are a good, inexpensive option.

Divide Perennials - If perennial plants are becoming too large or need better control, they can be best divided in June and transplanted to new locations. Now is also a great time to add new perennials to the yard.

Harvest Spring Produce - Cool season fruits and vegetables will be nearly spent in June, but there is time for one last harvest of strawberries, radishes, lettuce, and spinach.

Thin Seedlings - Before new crops get too dense, thin rows and beds to give them appropriate room for robust growth. Thinning blossoms and early fruits on trees will encourage larger produce instead of stunted crops.

Keep Weeding - Weeding is a never-ending task, and it is important to keep up on the chore in June when the garden is still getting a strong foothold. Regular weeding now will help crops get a good, sturdy start for better results in autumn.

Stake Plants - As new crops get taller, loosely stake thin or floppy plants to keep them from tipping and breaking. June is also the best time to begin training vines and climbing plants to keep them under control.

Happy gardening!

4 Things You Should Do in the Garden in June - Part 1

Jay's back with his June tips, things you can easily do in your garden this month.

Deadhead Blooms - Trim off spent blooms to encourage additional blooming.

Trim Bulbs - When spring blooms have finished flowering and foliage is brown, trim foliage to make room for summer flowers.

Prune Flowering Shrubs - After spring flowering shrubs have stopped blooming, prune them appropriately to keep their desired shape.

Adjust Watering - For summer temperatures, soaker hoses are ideal for beds and gardens. Lawns should be watered deeply but less frequently to encourage strong root growth.

Happy gardening!

Colorful Curb Appeal with Roses

Since you might be wondering how we grew such an impressive bed of rose bushes for our commercial client in Surry County, Virginia, we'll let you in on a few of our secrets.

Plant in a sunny location. Roses enjoy sunlight, 6-8 hours each day.

Use the right soil. Roses thrive in rich, organic soil with good drainage.

Fertilize your bushes regularly.

Prune in early spring.

Water your roses wisely. Water the soil, not the foliage.

Early Summer - What Should I Do to My Lawn?

1-Mow High. Taller blades help grass develop deeper roots that are better at seeking out water underground.

2-Feed. Feeding in early summer helps strengthen the lawn so it can better withstand the heat and drought conditions of summer.

3-Treat for Grubs. Grubs will attract moles to your turf.

4-Let Clippings Lie. Don't remove your grass clippings. Leaving them adds nitrogen back to your lawn.

5-Watch for Weeds. Take advantage of Schultz Lawnscapes Turf Treatment Program.

Curb Appeal for Your Business

Jay Kemp, our Southeast Territory Sales Manager, gave an informative presentation at New Kent Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch & Learn series at New Kent County’s Visitor Center.

As a business owner, you want your potential customers to LOVE your curb appeal! It's often their first impression of your establishment and is likely to determine their interest in your business. Enhancing curb appeal will increase sales revenue and boost the value of your offerings.

What are the Top 6 "Curb Appeal" actions you can take to produce a positive customer experience?

1) Landscaping,

2) Lighting,

3) Greenery,

4) Pops of Color,

5) Cleanliness,

6) Signage.

Trillium - Take Nothing but Pictures

It's early spring and Trillium is currently in bloom in our woods! Trillium is also called Birthwort because its roots were once used during birthing and for wound treatment.

Interesting Fact - Trillium blooms only for a few weeks in early spring, and it is during this time when it collects all the nutrients it needs to survive until the following year. Don't pick the blooms as it may take years to recover or may never recover.

Did you know that it takes a Trillium plant up to 10 years to produce its first flower?

#GrassFacts

Did you know that investing in lawn care can truly pay off in the long run? Taking care of your lawn can have a huge return on investment!

A 2023 survey from the National Association of Realtors reported that there is a 217% ROI for standard lawn care services.

Ask us about our Spring lawn care program, including fertilization, weed control, and aeration.